Shakespeare is Alive at VIMSIA

On Friday, April 15, VIMSIA was the location to be at for the annual Vento Shakespeare Workshops and Festival. This event, presented by Pistarkle Theatre, strives to educate, engage and entertain students on the literary works of Shakespeare. With over 130 students from schools around the islands the VIMSIA campus was filled with love, laughter, and dramatic deaths as each group brought their own spin to the Bard’s words.

VIMSIA entered three different acts for the festival – “Taming of the Shrew” performed by the 8th grade; another group consisted of our drama enrichment students under the direction of Ms. Pamela New presenting “King Lear”; and our third was an independent monologue by 10th grader Darby, “Edmund" in King Lear.

Our 8th graders won an award for best supporting ensemble and Darby won an award for her monologue. All our students worked for months to create their presentations and we are so proud of them all!

VIMSIA Wins Participation award and more at the Rotary Sunrise Triathlon

Saturday morning, April 9th, many of our VI Montessori and Peter Gruber International Academy students participated in the annual Rotary Sunrise Triathlon held at Magen’s Bay. The event, which hosts swimming, biking and running as the competitive events, had over 140 students starting their morning at the beach.

VIMSIA students joined the fun as individuals or as team participants and all did a fantastic job. The VIMSIA winners for the different age groups are listed below:

Age Group 12-15

Individual Boys: 1st Place Taber Helton 26:50; 2nd Place Teagan Kappel 33.13

Relay Teams: 3rd Place Max Wilson, Diego Viegas, Amir Ottley 29:03

Age Group 9-11

Individual Girls: 1st Place Kaia Anspacher 12:23; 2nd Place Gabriela Brunt 13:32

Relay Teams: 1st Place Thomas Brunt, Christian Belcher, Chris Griffith 12:43; 3rd Place Paschal Bryan, Rohan Nagi, Ka’eo Brown 13:40

Age Group 5-8

Individual Girls: 1st Place Sofia Kappel 8:23

Relay Teams: 1st Place Santiago Brunt, Alex Brunt, Andy Bornn 6:59; 3rd Place Fiona Dodson, Aurora Rodriquez, Mariana Brunt 8:01

Congratulations to Radiance Peets!

The St. Thomas Virgin Islands Coalition for Drug Free Youth announced its first ever "My Voice – Our Community" poster and jingle competition last month. This competition was designed to give youth in St. Thomas the opportunity to demonstrate their voices and opinions, to make a difference, and have a positive effect on reducing the use and abuse of drugs and alcohol. The competition provided a platform through which youth and schools had a unique and educational way of expressing being drug-free. Across St. Thomas, several students joined in promoting a positive message by creating audio jingles and posters that expressed how to make a difference in reducing the abuse of drugs (marijuana) and alcohol.

We offer huge congratulations to Radiance Peets for winning first place in her age category, 15 to 17 year olds, and representing our school. We are so proud of you!

2015 Miss America Visits PGIA

The PGIA had an assembly on Friday, January 22nd where Kira Kazantsev, Miss America 2015, visited and spoke to students in grades 7-12. Kira spoke about healthy relationships and preventing domestic violence.  This was her platform when she was running for Miss America and during her reign.  It continues to be her passion now that she has passed the crown on to her 2016 successor. 

In the Miss America assembly, Kira shared her personal experience with domestic violence in college. She discussed the mission, "Love Shouldn't Hurt: Protecting Women Against Domestic Violence." Kira educated students about signs of domestic violence and how to get help if someone is in an unsafe relationship.

Kira taught students about the 4 points of the crown: Style, Success, Service, and Scholarship. She discussed how these 4 points can apply to many areas of life, and how they can be used as a guide toward accomplishing tasks and reaching goals.

Many people may be familiar with Kira's movement, "Put a nail in it!" In this movement, celebrities, sports stars, and people all over the world, men and women alike, paint their relationship commitment finger (usually the left hand ring finger) the color PURPLE to signify their commitment to ending domestic violence and pursuing healthy relationships. Purple is a color that signifies domestic violence awareness. 

Spotlight: Anushka Spelling Bee

CONGRATULATIONS TO ANUSHKA CHANDIRAMANI! 

Anushka competed against 17 other school champions in the St. Thomas/St. John District Spelling Bee on Friday, February 12. She was poised and very well prepared. Anushka won second place, and qualified to compete in the Territory Spelling Bee in March! Her coach, Melissa Bump shared, “Anushka is a very studious young lady, and her hard work really paid off today. I’m so proud of her!”

Lamyir Perez - Make A Wish Trip to Disneyland!

VI Montessori School Primary student Lamyir Perez and her family received a blessed gift from Make A Wish U.S. Vigin Islands.  Lamyir's dream was to go to Disneyland - and that she did!  Lamyir was treated like a disney princess and her family like royalty on their trip to Disneyland in January.  Fast Passes and head of the line to meet those famous Disney characters helped make the trip extra special - though Lamyir's favorite part was her spa day at the Bibbity Bobbity Boo Boutique. Leave it to Disney!

 Lamyir was born with a hole in her heart.  She has had numerous surgeries and is, in fact, traveling to Miami next week for another visit with her Doctors.  

PGIA Senior Megan Godfrey organized a Valentine's fundraiser with the help of Ali Slimming of East End Flowers.  The effort raised over $1,200 to help Lamyir's family fund their Miami trip next week.  Way to go Megan - what a beautiful thing to do!  The family also has a fundraising site setup for donations.

Spotlight: Amir and Kinze Chess Champs

Congratulations to our VIMSIA chess players and Coach Allen.  We had several students participate in the interscholastic chess tournament held January 16.  Kudos to Amir, who took first place in the 12 and under category,  Kinze who took second place in the 9 and under category and Keo who took third place in the 12 and under category.  Go chess!

Spotlight: Khalese Potter receives Martin Luther King Award

Each year, the Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas honors Martin Luther King by recognizing local seniors with the Martin Luther King Service Award.  PGIA Senior Khalese Potter was among the honorees this year and in true Khalese fashion - held the audience in rapt attention.  After her speech at the synagogue, Khalese was asked to present her speech to the VI Legislature.  

Khalese is invited to present her speech to the VI Legislature

“One of the proudest moments is to give these students a moment to speak their mind and feel empowered. We want them to know that their words really matter and they can make difference. More valuable than the monetary award is their moment to shine and be an advocate for what’s right in the world.”

— Rabbi Mike Harvey, St. Thomas Hebrew Congregation - St. Thomas Source

Seeing Khalese at the podium, making her views heard is a sight that will certainly not end here.  Khalese will most certainly go on to great things and make a difference in this world.  Be the change, Khalese!  We are so proud of you.

St. Thomas Source Article

Khalese's closing remarks:

“Understanding our differences begins the journey to regarding each other as individuals and allows us to recognize differences as just that rather than viewing them as threats to the sanctity of another group’s ideals.

My ideas seem idealistic Dr. King, but as education and the celebration of diversity progress they become more realistic each day. So to paraphrase your words, I accept my finite disappointment today, but never loose my infinite hope for tomorrow.”

— Khalese Potter, PGIA Senior

Spotlight: Grant Farrell & Axel Bartsch

The USVI Department of Sports, Parks & Recreation held their 1st Annual Children’s Recognition Awards Ceremony at Government House October 30, 2015.  Seventy-three athletes who participated in non-scholastic sports programs and camps were recognized for their outstanding sportsmanship and conduct.  PGIA students Grant Farrell and Axel Bartsch earned awards for their positive teamwork with LaRaza VI soccer club.

Kudos to Grant and Axel - who have been excelling in athletics and amazing ambassadors of good  sportsmanship since they put on their first soccer shoes with Señor in Primary.  We are so proud of you both!

Spotlight: Marcus Norkaitis - Lead for "Rock of Ages"

PGIA senior Marcus Norkaitis and actress & TV2 reporter April Knight in "Rock of Ages"   Photo credit Noelle Olive Photography

Marcus Norkaitis as "Drew" -  Photo Credit Noelle Olive Photography

PGIA Senior Marcus Norkaitis plays the lead role of Drew in Pistarckle Theater's production of "Rock of Ages."  The play is a smash hit and will be adding extra shows to cover audience demands.  Marcus, by far the youngest performer, is a big hit with the fans as he portrays a rock star wannabe trying to win the girl.  Belting out rock classics including "I Wanna Rock" by Dee Snider and "Waiting for a Girl Like You" by Mick Jones - Marcus and the entire cast are bringing the audience to their feet.  Congratulations to Marcus, Director Frank Bartalucci, the entire cast and crew and to Pistarckle Theater.  

Bravo!

Karen Gauriloff - Lighting Technician,

Kudos also to PGIA 9th grader Karen Gauriloff, lighting technician for the production.  

Spotlight: Ali Bartsch and Alum Isis Collier and Ariel Stolz

The USVI U20 girls national soccer team played an international friendly match consisting of two games vs. the Turks & Caicos Women's National team last Friday and Saturday on St. Croix.  USVI won both games, with scores of 1-0 and 2-0.

VIMSIA girls competing were junior Alison Bartsch and alumnae Isis Collier and Ariel Stolz.

DP Dancers Exceed World Average Assessment Scores

The "DP Dancers" are PGIA Diploma Program students that have chosen to take High Level Dance as one of their three high level options for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program. 

Every year, DP students around the world are assessed both internally and by external international examiners. Student results are determined by performance against set standards, such that student results truly reflect their abilities relative to their peers globally, not just at their school.

For DP Dance, the students are assessed on performances, dance investigations and choreographies.  For the second year in a row, under the direction of Ms. Helen Sidiropoulos, these students have exceeded the world average!  

So, here on our tiny little island in the Caribbean Sea, our students' achievements are exceeding those of their peers in places like the U.K., Switzerland and Japan.

Kudos to Ms. Helen and the DP Dancers!

Imani Sidiropoulos - Off to Johnson and Wales!

Our 2015 graduates are off to college and we wish them all success this year.  

One PGIA student is off to Johnson and Wales University to finish her high school career!  Ms. Imani Sidiropoulos continues to set herself apart and demonstrate her independence.  A lifelong VIMSIA student, she completed 11th grade in June, 2015 and was accepted into an early admissions program at Johnson and Wales that will allow her to finish 12th grade and her freshman year of college in one year.    

We've asked her to tell us a little about it, and in pure Imani fashion, she has done an excellent job.  Please enjoy the letter she has shared with our VIMSIA community.

Hi my name is Imani and I’ve been at the VI Montessori School and Peter Gruber International Academy since 2001.  I was three years old then and enrolled in the Montessori Primary Level Program. I am now 17 years old and am happy to announce that I have been honored with the opportunity to start college a year early, beginning this Fall. Due to my exemplar transcript and academic performance, I have been accepted to the Early Enrollment Program at Johnson and Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island.

In my first year at Johnson and Wales University, I will be completing both my senior year of high school plus my first year in college. This is a very rigorous program.  While being interviewed, the recruiter asked me how I thought I would be able to manage the intensity of the first year of a combined curriculum. I told him that “at the Peter Gruber International Academy Diploma Program, we are training at a higher level of education and this experience has given me the tools I need to succeed”. It is also because of these tools that I have been awarded $25,000 in scholarship funds for my first year at the university. I received the Presidential Academic Scholarship along with 2 other locally granted awards.

I will be attending the Culinary Arts Program, hoping to master the art and achieve a Bachelors Degree. With the skills that I acquire, I can then return to our lovely island home, with ample professionalism eager to help bring something new to the community.

It is my belief that the true physicians of the world are culinary alchemists. Those who prepare foods that keep the nutritional value at its optimal level, those who combine herbs and spices to help alleviate ailments, and those who simply prepare healthy meals are those who I think are some of the greatest champions in our society. Food is the most intimate experience. We consume it, it becomes a part of us; a part of our molecular composition. As the old adage says… “We are what we eat!”. In today’s society it is very important that we are mindful of what we put inside our bodies. I want to be part of the movement for healthy lifestyles and I strongly believe that food preparation is a major component.

I am so excited to be able to jump start my life and I think that VIMS & PGIA provided both a solid foundation and a wonderful springboard for me to leap and soar into my next journey.

Thank you to all the educators and supporting staff that helped shape my life and inspired and influenced me along the way.

Sincerely,

Imani Sidiropoulos

Spotlight - Alex McFarlane

MVP LATIN AMERICA/CARIBBEAN REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 

Alex McFarlane, who will be entering 9th grade in the PGIA, was honored as MVP of the Latin America/Caribbean Regional Intermediate Baseball Championships in July.  Alex's St. Thomas All Star Team, coached by Geary Smith and Kwodwo Brannigan, won the tournament and now proceed as the Latin America representatives to the Intermediate World Series in Livermore, CA beginning August 2.   This is only the second time St. Thomas has made it to the World Series level!  Huge kudos to Alex and the rest of the team.  We wish them luck.  ALEX, WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!  (I predicted this when he was eight months old spinning quarters on my kitchen table - ever the athlete!)